Automatic air envelope knockout



Sept. 16, 1941. E. B. MOORE 2,256,167

4 AUTOMATIC AIR ENVELOPE KNOCKOUT Filed March 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 WW ii Hm, INVENTOR E QMUND BMOORE.

ATTORN EY Sept. 16, 1941.

E. MOORE AUTOMATIC AIR ENVELOPE KNOCKOUT Filed March 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R m d M .w R I E 08 m M m MN 0 m W @m Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED stares ear-ear ()FFICE AUTOMATEC AIR ENVELOPE KNGCKOU'I Edmund B. Moore, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 14, 1936, Serial No. 88,797

.14 Claims.

This invention relates to envelope manufacturing machinery, being concerned particularly with means for releasing and driving a completed envelope from the machine to a suitable receiving conveyorr The invention is particularly adapted for use on envelope machinery adapted for the production of socalled Window envelopes, wherein a transparent glassine window patch is pasted over a window cut-out in the face of the envelope.

Briefly summarizing the development of these machines, the solid envelope was first made; then later came the window envelope having no glassine patch simply a cut-out in the face of the envelope. Then, a transparent patch was pasted over the window. the patch being secured to the envelope by a thin line of gum adhesive all around the patch; it was necessary to keep the line of gum away from the edge of the patch in order that the paste would not ooze out to possibly stick the front and rear faces of the envelope together. In this design, the loose edge of the patch often caused trouble by catching inserted matter, particularly when automatic envelope filling machines were used. To obtain a practical, smooth patch securely adhered to the envelope throughout its edge, the heat-sealing patch was developed. Glassine or transparent paper, specially chemically treated on one side with a nitro-cellulose compound. is stuck to the envelope by the application of heat and pressure with a predetermined dwell and subsequent cooling. This process is accomplished by a hot plunger which moves up and down on the envelope machine and presses upon the heat-sealing patch. In the ordinary envelope machine, a trap or table is provided upon which the envelope is fed and processed, whereupon the trap is quickly inclined downwardly at a sharp angle and fingers come up through slots in the trap to engage an edge of the envelope to drive the envelope downwardly onto a conveyor. fhen envelopes are made with heat-sealing patches, the

slots in the trap through which the fingers pro- 3.

ject. interfere with proper processing, and likewise the fingers scar the edge of the envelope. If slots were used in the heat-sealing envelope machine, it would be necessary to also slot the pad upon which the envelope rests when the hot plunger applied. resulting in incomplete adhesion of the patch to the envelope. It therefore becomes necessary to devise a new method of knocking out the completed heat-sealed envelopes, although the apparatus comprising this new improvement is adapted for use with any type of envelope.

My invention, then, comprises 'a new rmeansfor quickly and positively removing envelopes from one position to another in the envelope machine; For accomplishing this end, I utilize pneumatic apparatus which presents additional advantages when used on machines producing heat-sealed patch window envelopes. As-above indicated, the heat-sealing process involves heat, pressure, dwell and cooling. By utilizing"a pneumatic knock-out device, the compressed air fulfills the last function of cooling of the completed envelope.

Objects of the invention, in addition to those inferred above, will be apparent in reading the annexed specification and in examining the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

showing the table and trap of an envelope machine embodying the improvements of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the apparatus in a different position of operation; Fig. 3 is a viewon the line 3--3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing in addition, th pneumatic apparatus and timing means therefor; T

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section or part of the apparatus shown in previous figures;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative organization of the envelope knock-out improvements;

Figs. 7 and 8 are plans of parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of an adjustable arrangement for the air knock-out apparatus;

Fig. 1c is a plan of the adjustable apparatus of Fig. 9; Y

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 9; and

12 shows an alternative trap organization provided with means for liquid cooling."

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, I show the conventionalwork table it of an envelope machine, this tat-1e having a cut--0ut 55 within which a trap ii is carried on a pivot 48 for swinging between the positions shown in Fig. 1 in solid and dotted lines, respectively. This trap is moved up and down by means of a rod is hinged thereto, the bottom end of the rod operating againsta cam 29 in the con entional manner. 'The trap IT is provided with a work pad 2! upon which a resilient pad 22 is fixed, said resilient pad being of an outline corresponding to the shape of the window cut-'outin the envelope 23 adaptthe pad 2| 'ed to be operated upon. The machine carries a plunger 24 having a head 25 adapted to bear down upon the envelope 23, the head 25 being heated and Being operated in timed relation, so that, when the trap carries an envelope in its uppermost position, said head bears upon the envelope to heat-seal the transparent patch to the envelope. The operating mechanism for the plunger 24 is not shown in detail as this is oldin the art and forms no part of the present invention. After the heat-sealing operation has been completed, the plunger rises from the trap and the cam 20 rotates to permit the trap to swing down upon its pivot l8, whereby the envelope 23 may be discharged onto a conveyor belt 26. 7

To expedite discharge of the envelope from the trap after the latter has been lowered, I provide a plunger and pneumatic jet organization indicated as 21, this organization being carried by the trap. The pad 2| is provided with an opening 28 through which a pin. 29 carried on the plunger organization 21 is adapted to rise, the pin 29 being carried by a cross yoke 30 slidable in a direction normal to the face of the pad 2|;

a guide 3| is fixed to the trap I1, and a rod 32 attached to theyoke 30 engages the guide. The bottom end of the rod 32 carries a roller 33 adapted to engage a cam 34 carried by the table l5. When the trap l1 drops down, the roller 33 engages the cam 34, forcing the pin 29 up through to raise the envelope from the pad 22. The yoke 30 also carries an upstanding tube 35 having an orifice 36 directed toward the envelope, said tube 35 being arranged to elevate above the level of the pads 2| and 22.

Means are provided, as shown in Fig. 4, to furnish air under pressure to the orifice 36 in properly timed relationship, so that when the tube 35 is raised above the pad, an airstream is directed toward the edge of the envelope 23 by which the envelope is blown from the trap to drop by gravity onto the conveyor 26. This jet action, indicated in Fig. 2, is very efiective in quickly drivingthe envelope from the trap, since that air which passes below the entering edge of the envelope tends to cushion the envelope and at .the same. time cool it. That air which passes above the edge of the envelope impinges upon the acutely angled flap 31 to expedite ejection. The ejection of the envelope is also expedited by virtue of the airfoil action of the envelope, since the envelope has been tilted upwardly at its entering edge by means of the pin 29, whereby the envelope has a positive angle of attack with respect to'the jet stream. Thereby, a slight suction is induced on the upper surface of the envelope, while pressure is induced on the lower side there of, aiding in raising the envelope from the trap whereby it floats on the airstream from the trap and toward the conveyor. A baffle 38 may be screwed to the bottom of the table l to deflect the envelope directly toward the conveyor after the envelope has left the trap.

The tube 35 is provided with a nipple 39 over the end of which a flexible hose 40 is slipped,

sai-d flexible hose, shown in Fig. 4, passing over a sheave 4| to a valve housing 42 fixed to the machine. Said valve housing includes a springpressed poppet valve 43, the stem of which extends below the housing 42 for engagement with a valve lifter 44 engageable with a'cam 45 suitably driven from the power source of the machine. The valve timing is so coordinated with the operation of the machine that the valve is open at that instant when the orifice 36 rises above the pad of the trap H, the valve staying open during the period that the trap is in its lower position, and the valve closing at such time as the trap is raised to operating position simultaneously with the dropping of the orifice 36 below the level of the pad. The valve housing 42 is continually supplied with air under pressure from a power driven compressor 46 through a balance and sediment chamber 41. In Fig. 4, I show a humidifier and temperature controller 48 connectible in the air circuit from the compressor 46 by means of selectively operable valves 49 and 50. When said valves are open, another valve 5| leading from the compressor 46 directly to the chamber 41, is closed, whereby the compressed air is diverted through the humidifier and temperature controller before reaching the chamber 41. If it is not necessary to humidify, heat or cool the air, the valves 49 and 59 are closed, and the valve 5| opened, by which compressed air passes directly from the compressor 46 to the chamber 41.

Special reference may be made to Fig. 5, wherein'the details of construction of the plunger organization 21 are shown. It will be here noted that the rod 32 is counter-bored as at 53 to receive a spring 54,'the upper end of which spring is guided by a pin 55 screwed into the lower part of the pad 2|. Thus, the spring 54 continually urges the pin 29 and tube-35 to a low position, against the action of the cam 34 which'serves to raise same upon dropping of the trap.- Figs. 1 and 2 show the detailed organization of the cam 34 which comprises an arm pivoted at 51 to a bracket 58 screwed to the table l5. 'Said bracket 58 also carries a member 53 against which an adjusting screw 60 in the cam bar 34 may bear to predetermine the uppermost position of the cam bar. A screw 6| is arranged to pass freely through the cam bar 34, to be threaded into the member 59, and a spring 62 bears at its ends against the head of the screw 6| and against the cam bar 34 to continually urge the cam bar toward its uppermost position. Thus, the cam bar is resiliently mounted and is adjustable so that the extent of'elevation of the pin 29 and the tube 35 above the trap may be pre- 7 set according to the character of envelopes upon which the -machine is operating. Additionally, the plunger organization 21 and the cam 34 with its associated mounting elements are so arranged that they may easily be attached to existing types of envelope machines without the necessity for expensive redesign or rebuilding of the machines.

In Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, I show a modification of the plunger organization 21 and of the means for carrying the cam 34, which provide for a greater universality of adjustment to accommodate the apparatus to variant shapes and sizes of envelopes- In these figures, 65 represents a cross plate screwed at its ends to the flanges on the bottom of the trap l5. Said plate is provided with a central slot 66 and adjacent bolt holes 51. A yoke 68, shown in plan in Fig. 7, is provided with an opening 69 and adjacent slots 10, the slots 10 registering with the holes 61, through which slots and holes, bolts 1| are passed to firmly attach the yoke 68 to the plate 65. The opening 69 in the yoke 68 receives a rod 32' carrying a yoke 39' upon which are mounted a pin 29 and an air tube 35'. The yoke 68 is extended upwardly to provide guideways at 12 and 13, respectively, for the pin 29 and the tube 35. A guide. pin 55' is. fixed. to the. upper. end. of the yoke 68 toengage: a suitable opening. in. the yoke 35!, and; springs. T4 and 151 between the upper end; of theyoke 88 and-the yoke Elk, and respectively embracing'the. pins 29 and 5t, serve to urge the yoke 3B downwardly with respect to: the trap 15:. In this arrangement; the pin 2d and jet: tube 3.5 may be adjusted toward. or: from the trap pivot it as aunit, the trap padiZl being. interchangeable with several: different sizes to accommodate the machine for work on em velopes of diiferent sizes. In changing from one size envelope to another, it is unnecessary to remove. the pneumatic ejecting: organization but rather, it is only necessary to. adjust it to the character of work comtemplated.

To coordinate the cam with the ad ustable ejecting organization, I show, in Figs. 9, l and 11, that the member 59' is bolted, as before; to a bracket 58. However, said: bracket may be ad'- justed with respect to the table 15 by means of cap screws Bifwhi'ch may be screwed agreater or lesser distance into the table IS; A set screw 8'! serves as a stop to hold the bracket 53' in the proper position relative to the table 55 when the cap screws E'dare tightened.

In Fig. 6, I show an adjusting screw 52' threaded' in-to the upper arm of theyoke- 8, which screw serves as a stop to limit the upward motion of the yoke 3t when the latter is raised by means of the cam 34'. When said yoke addresses the screw 82, the reaction will cause the rod 3-2 tobear down upon the cam 34' to deflect the spring 62', as indicated in the structure of Fig; 2.

In Fig. 12, I show a trap l5 of the samegeneral character as is used inthe previously'shown embodiments, wherein said trapis provided with cored interior openings through which a fluid coolant may be passed. An entrance passage 96 and an exit passage 9| are provided in the organization to connect with flexible hoses 82 and 93, respectively, in turn. connected to suitable fluid circulating means. This fluid cooling organization for the trap is desirablein those types of envelope machines which are set up for heatsealing patches; since the plunger head 25, shown in Fig. 1, isv maintained at a constantly relatively high temperature in order to effect the heatsealing. Upon protracted operation of the ma chine, a considerable amount of this heat trans mitted to the trap, which may have the effect of sticking the envelope to the trap. By keeping the trap cool, quicker release of the envelope therefrom may be effected to increase the production rate of the machine.

While I have described my invention. as applied to changing the position of paper in an envelope machine, there arev many other applications where it can be used to change the place of objects either on. stationary groups. or moving parts. Especially advantageous is the ease of installation and flexibility of control and adjustment for different sizes and the wide range. of places where such an automatically raised air discharge tube can be employed.

Although I have described. my invention as using a discharged column of air tov accomplish certain results, there will be times when the pump can be used as a suction pump the air line system as a. suction system.. In this case the air vent tube would become an air suction port and would perform desirable useful work in moving objects from one place to another by a reverse movement of the air flow. The suction port can be differently located as desired or can be a plurality of. apertures. Toapproach nearer. the object .to bemoved, or in fact toztouchthe: objectwhoseuposition isv tobe: changed, theair ports or orifices can; be of any. shape desired? for eihcient' working and have a plurality of holes as required.v

It may also be stated thatthe temperature humidityoi the air stream. is also aniinportant' factor. It is the pressure or-the moving air that. is required to change the position: ofthe envelope; but the cold or hot air flow or the humidity of the air blast will in addition facilitate and increase the-rapidity of the patch adhesionandd'e.- livery.

However, itisnot' necessary that thisa-ir stream; be emitted atroom temperature.- It mightbe desirable and is so provided to raise or lower the temperature of the air discharge above or below room temperature by the air conditioning and humidity control apparatus as-stated; in order to accomplish certain desirable work and to more effectively stick the patch, and at thesame-time it might be required to lower the temperature of the air blast below that of room temperature or below thatcf the object at which it is di rected.

Means for raising or lowering the temperature of the air stream are not new and apparatus for so doing isnot'shown in detail in the drawings. Numerous methods'are-available forraising the temperature and for air conditior-ii-ng'and humidity control of the air stream", and it is not necessary to'elabora-te on them here; Apparatus of this type would be inserted in or about the air. pressure lines so as to increase or decrease the temperature and humidity of'the airflow as desired.

In making envelopes andprinting, it is found that the paper is very sensitive to, the humidity or water content of the air; While my invention shows an air discharge stream at room tome perature, there might be applications where the localized humidity about a certain object at a set time in a machine could be increased" by inserting in the air line certain standard air conditioning apparatus that would permit the discharge of an air blast of: a certain. desired humidity; This is a big advantage as it would assure constant weather conditions with uniform results from machine operation that would otherwise be influenced by normal weather changes. This is a particularly troublesome factor in the paper manufacturing business, as humidity and tempera.- ture changes interfere with rapid production to a markedextent.

I have shown in Fig. 4 an air pump and motor as means of producing air pressure or air suction. This is a handy method, as each machine can conveniently encase the small motor and pump to make a complete operating assembly. But this method is not fixed and the air pressure and air suction can be obtained many other ways. whichever may be most advantageous under. the conditions that present themselves. Some shops have central air pressure tanks with air lines running. throughout the shop, and the same applies to vacuum or suction tanks.

This. invention may be arranged to accomplish certain. other ends in processing, of paper products. For instance, plural jets may be arranged. with one or more jets ejecting air in one state of humidity or. temperature,v and. other jets issuing. air under different temperature and humidity conditions. The jet. may also. be used. for. applying specialized fluids, or moisture, before processing of the paper to condition the paper for the ensuing process. For instance, hard surfaced papers may be moistened before processing to soften the surface by which adhesion will be improved, and by which the paper sizing will be affected to expedite the contemplated processing. s I therefore include steam and gases for use as alternative fluids for issuance from the jets previously described.

While I have described my invention in detail in itspresent preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding my invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. I aim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes.

What is claimed is:'

1. An envelope knock-out for the trap of an envelope machine, said trap being hinged for downward swinging to discharge the envelope to a receiver, comprising a plunger in said trap movable in timed relation to downward trap movement to free the envelope from the trap, an air jet nozzle carried by said trap and movable with said plunger, and means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle for issuance therefrom in timed relation to downward trap movement to blow the envelope on said trap, toward said receiver.

2. In an envelope machine having a downwardly swinging, envelope-discharging trap, plunger means movable to raise the envelope from the I trap, air jet means operable to blow the envelope from the trap upon downward movement of the latter, said air jet means comprising a nozzle movable with and with respect to the trap, and means for moving the nozzle in timed relation with respect to the trap.

3. In an envelope-discharging mechanism for the downwardly swingable trap of an envelope machine, said trap having an opening therethrough, a guide on the under surface of the trap, a yoke movable in said guide in a direction substantially normal to the top of said trap, a plunger carried by said yoke, extending through said trap opening, an air nozzle on said yoke adapted to extend at times above the top of said trap, a cam on said envelope machine, and a cam follower on said yoke engaged with said cam, said cam being so formed as to raise said yoke with respect to said trap upon downward swinging of said trap.

, 4.,In an envelope-discharging mechanism for the downwardly swingable trap of an envelope machine, said trap having an opening therethrough, a guide on the under surface of the trap, a yoke movable in said guide. in a direction substantially normal to the top of said trap, a plunger carried by said yoke, extending through said trap opening, an air nozzle on said yoke adapted to extend at times above the top of said trap, a cam on said envelope machine, a cam follower on said yoke engaged with said cam, said cam being so formed as to raise said yoke with respect to said trap upon downward swinging of said trap, and a means for supplying compressed air to said nozzle upon elevation of said nozzle above the upper trap surface. 7 5. In an envelope machine trap for envelopes having heat-sealed window patches, a ring of resilient material on said trap surface against which a heated plunger is adapted to press the patch border,'means for lowering said trap for envelope discharge, means for raising the en velope from said trap, and pneumatic means for blowing the envelope from said trap after said raising means has become effective.

6. In a fabricating machine for paper products having a movable work station from which products are organized to be periodically discharged, an air nozzle directed toward and movable with said station, means for feeding compressed airv to said nozzle in timed relationship to the work accomplished on'the product to move said product from said station, and means to move the nozzle relative to the work station in timed relationship to the work accomplished.

'7. In a heat-sealing envelope machine wherein sealing of envelope element is accomplished by the application of heat and pressure, said machine having a station, including a movable discharge trap, at which said sealing is effected, means for loosening the envelope from said trap, means for cooling said envelope and for driving same from said trap comprising a nozzle directed toward said station, and means for valving cool compressed air to said nozzle upon cessation of the sealing operation.

8. The combination, in an envelope machine of a trap movable to discharge an envelope thereon, said trap being organized for envelopes of various size, loosening and discharge means carried by said trap to discharge an envelope therefrom, and means for positioning the loosening and discharge means at various positions on said trap for accommodating envelopes of various size, said loosening and discharge means comprising a loosening plunger and a discharge jet raisable in timed relation above said trap and means to supply compressed air to said jet upon raising thereof, to discharge said envelope from the trap.

9. The combination, in an envelope machine of a trap movable to discharge an envelope thereon,

said trap being organized for envelopes of various 7 size, loosening and discharge means carried by said trap to discharge an envelope therefrom, means for positioning the loosening and discharge means at various positions onsaid trap for accommodating envelopes of various size, said loosening and discharge means comprising a loosening plunger and a discharge jet raisable in timed relation above said trap and means to supply compressed air to said jet upon raising thereof, to discharge said envelope from the trap, and, in combination, means for controlling the pressure, temperatureand humidity of the air.

10. In an envelope machine comprising a table and a trap hinged thereto for timed downward movement in response to machine operation, a plunger carried by and slidable relative to said trap in a direction substantially normal to the trap surface, a cam follower on said plunger, below said trap, and a cam bar carried by and below said table with which said cam follower is engaged, said cam being so formed as to slide said plunger relative to said trap uponv lowering of said trap.

11. In an envelope discharging mechanism includinga swingable trap, a plunger raisable relative to the trap face for raising a portion of an envelope therefrom, a nozzle raisable in timed relationship to trap movement, located close to said plunger, and means to supply said nozzle with compressed air for discharging an envelope on said trap, said raised envelope portion receiving the compressed air for floating the whole envelope from the trap.

12. In an envelope discharging mechanism, having a plate upon which an envelope is adapted to lie fiat, a plunger raisable to lift an edge of the envelope from the plate, a nozzle having a jet directed toward the envelope edge, means to move said nozzle in timed relation with said plunger above the plate, and means to supply said jet with gas in timed relation to the raising of the envelope edge, said gas, upon ejection thereof from the jet, serving to float the envelope from said plate.

13. In an envelope machine including a plate upon which an envelope is adapted to' be processed, a resilient pad on said plate upon which an envelope in process rests, a plunger engageable with the envelope to press the envelope against said pad, and means operable upon disengagement of the plunger from the envelope for discharging said envelope from said pad and plate, said means comprising a plunger for raising an edge of the envelope and compressed air ejecting mechanism operable to float the envelope from the plate.

14. In an envelope discharging mechanism, a plate upon which an envelope is adapted to lie flat, a plunger raisable to lift an edge of the envelope from the plate, a nozzle having a jet directed toward the envelope edge, means to move said plunger and nozzle together in timed relation above the plate, and means for supplying gas at full pressure to said nozzle for passage through said jet throughout the time that the edge of an envelope is lifted by said plunger, said gas upon ejection thereof from the jet serving to induce aerodynamic lift and drag forces on both the upper and lower surfaces of the envelope for floating the envelope from said plate.

EDMUND B. MOORE. 

